Geminiano Cozzi and his porcelains

Antiga Edizioni, Crocetta del Montello, Treviso 2016

Venetian Heritage contributed to the publication of the catalogue of the first retrospective dedicated to Geminiano Cozzi and his porcelains, celebrating the 250th anniversary since the beginning of his artistic production.

It was an exhibition whose aim was to celebrate Geminiano Cozzi and to mark the 250 years since he made his first porcelains. At first, it was planned that the group of works in Ca’Rezzonico – Museum of the 18th century Venice, would be enhanced, having been restored in previous years. However, the exhibition’s preparation led to a deeper exploration of other Cozzi’s collections and an ability to meet more enthusiasts who have shown a genuine interest for this initiative. It was therefore possible to relocate objects known only through old photos, recompose dismembered sets and discover works of art of both great technical quality and artistic originality. It was discovered overtime that this was a unique occasion to study Cozzi’s artistic manufacture, which has ironically benefitted from the collectors’ taste but previously had not been sufficiently recognised by the art critics.

Cozzi’s vast production included tableware, coffee, tea and chocolate sets, spices sets, flowerpots, different items of furniture, pommels for walking sticks, small statues and plastic groups. Cozzi’s porcelains made in “pasta dura” are recognizable by a small anchor – usually painted in red, sometimes in light blue, and for the finest pieces, gold. These porcelains usually show fine chisel cuttings, presenting a rich decorative repertoire of flowers and fruits on the lid and handles. Even if it is inspired by Meissen and Sèvre’s models, they give an indoubitable sense of originality. The colours used are iron red, emerald green, cobalt blue and purple. Sometimes elaborate details were also added such as: friezes in pure gold, chinese figures, decorative motifs with polychrome flowers and butterflies, roses, tulips and violas – which were also very common in majolica and earthenware – the “bersò” decorative motif, small landscapes inspired by contemporary Venetian painting, ribbons and garlands, heraldic figures and even playing cards.

Venetian Heritage was more than happy to support this initiative with the hope that this might be the first project interested in analysing with more depth Cozzi’s manufacture.